The trio will tackle an early season test when they line up in Sunday's second round of the tri-series.

Lizzie Nicholls will compete in the intermediate division, while brother Tim and Chapman will contest the seniors' (16-19yrs) race over a 400m swim/ 12km bike/3km run course.

Thirteen year-old Lizzie is the youngest of the contingent and has established a growing reputation as one of the future stars despite only taking up the sport (seriously) less than a year ago.

The intermediate race will consist of a 200m swim /10km bike/ 3km run, but at this stage of the season Nicholls isn't setting the bar too high.

"I'm just intent on beating my time from last year (when she finished fifth at Mudgee), and doing the best I can," she said.

Tim will be one of the babies of the seniors field at 15, but is looking forward to the opportunity to test himself against the State's cream.

"I'm feeling strong and I'm looking for a good race," he said.

Nicholls has been doing work to strengthen his bike leg over the winter months and has taken a liking to the Gunnedah course

"The course is very technical," he said. "It's a great course with lots of hills. I enjoy the hills."

Chapman, who was recently selected in the Australian U18 touch team, still has another year in the seniors age division and will be mixing touch and triathlon commitments in the summer months.

And while the season is just warming up, all three have a firm goal in mind: the All Schools Championships in March.

Gunnedah is expecting a huge influx of triathletes on the weekend with time trials being conducted tomorrow, followed by the Tri-Series and State Championships on Sunday.